Employees who travel out of the state on official University business will be reimbursed for the following expenses.

Lodging

Actual expenses for lodging, not to exceed single occupancy rates, are allowable. When more than one University employee is staying in the same room, the names of all occupants must be listed on the travel form. In this case, double occupancy will be reimbursed. If the traveler occupies a double room with family/friends, the University will reimburse at the single occupancy rate. The single occupancy rate must be claimed on the travel form. It is expected that employees will obtain reasonably priced accommodations.

Receipts are required for reimbursement. A detailed hotel bill is considered a receipt. It should include: name, address and telephone number of the hotel; dates and the daily charge for the room; and number of occupants. Credit card receipts alone are not acceptable.

The traveler will be reimbursed for actual expenses for meals (excluding alcoholic beverages) up to a maximum amount of $55.00 per day for each day of travel. Tips related to meals should be included in the meal costs reported. Please note that the traveler is required to show actual expenses for meals, even though receipts are not required. If a conference registration fee was paid that included payment for one or more meals, the traveler is required to indicate this on the travel form by writing or typing “PROV” in the applicable box and NOT claim any additional reimbursement for that meal.

During partial days of travel, reimbursement for meals will be made according to the following departure/arrival times:

Day of departure from Mobile

Breakfast will be reimbursed if departure is before 7:00 a.m.

Lunch will be reimbursed if departure is before 11:00 a.m.

Dinner will be reimbursed if departure is before 5:00 p.m.

Day of arrival in Mobile

Breakfast will be reimbursed if arrival is after 8:00 a.m.

Lunch will be reimbursed if arrival is after 1:00 p.m.

Dinner will be reimbursed if arrival is after 7:00 p.m.

Refer to Exhibit H for an example of how this calculation is made and reported. Travelers will not be reimbursed for taxi fares to and from meals.

Federal and State tax regulations consider reimbursement for meal expenses incurred during out-of-state travel not requiring an overnight stay to be taxable income. The University will report the meal reimbursement on IRS Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement as earnings, and appropriate taxes will be deducted from the traveler’s paycheck. Taxable travel should be charged to account code 730100.

Advance payments of lodging expenses are not allowed. Advance payments of meal expenses are not allowed except when the organization conduct ing the function requires a prepaid registration fee that includes meal costs . Advance payments are allowed for intercollegiate athletic teams and other student group travel.

Requests for reimbursement of authorized out-of-state travel expenses should be submitted on the official University travel reimbursement form (Exhibit E). It must have the traveler's signature in the certification space, be notarized, and be approved by the department head and appropriate dean or administrator. The specific purpose of the trip should be indicated and all applicable receipts should be attached. The dates and hours of departure and return, length of stay documentation, points of travel, mode of transportation, mileage (if by private automobile), cost of meals and lodging, and other allowable expenses should be indicated on the form.

Note that when completing this form for out-of-state travel the column labeled “Use for In-State travel ONLY” should be left blank. Daily per diem reimbursement is not applicable to out-of-state travel.